Staphylococcus aureus and S. argenteus in food systems: Toxigenicity, resistance, and surveillance at the animal-human-environmental interface

Staphylococci remain a challenge for food safety and public health, driven by toxin-mediated disease, antimicrobial resistance, and interconnected food systems. This review critically examined Staphylococcus aureus and S. argenteus as a foodborne hazard, integrating evidence on staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and recent advances in detection and surveillance. It critically appraises trends in outbreak investigations - particularly the shift from enterotoxin detection to genomic screening - and evaluates preventive strategies. We highlight limitations of genome-based approaches in predicting toxin presence and caution against widespread nasal decolonisation of asymptomatic food handlers with mupirocin, given high recolonisation rates and resistance risks. The review further discusses livestock-associated MRSA as a One Health challenge spanning production, processing, and public health. Finally, we examine advances in predictive microbiology and AI-enabled tools that offer new opportunities for integrated surveillance, risk assessment, and targeted control of staphylococcal hazards in food systems.